DISCLAIMER: I do not own Vampire Knight
The End.
CHAPTER 53: Road to Sunshine
There was a funeral.
It wasn't just for Kaname. It was for the seventeen hunters who lost their lives and the dozens more that were injured in the onslaught. On the up side, not a single day or night class was hurt. It was bittersweet at best. The entire service I was watching alongside my friends as the gloomy weather returned to hide the tears of those around us. Amai hadn't been asleep (to Akemi's shock) and had instead called his daughter who arrived to help out.
I sat in a wheel chair, a black hood pulled up over my head. The night class seemed to have reverted to the night class temporarily at this affair. The hunters stood straight and in a line as Kaien delivered a speech about everyone, including Kaname. The twins stood out with their shocking silver hair, heads bowed as their sensei was honored.
Not a word was shared other than condolences.
Himaya drove us back to the mansion since the school was temporarily closed due to a 'gas leak'. The forge was moved back to the association where Yuki personally went with it. The twins had followed. The night class went their separate ways.
It was quiet.
Akemi was staring out the window, a distant look in her eyes. Takuma had his eyes closed, but I couldn't tell if he was sleeping or not. Himaya continuously passed glances at us. Her father was following us in a dinky little minivan.
In that time, I let my mind wander. After the funeral, after everyone began to leave, Yuki and Zero stood in front of each other. Even though it was whispers and eavesdropping wasn't something I liked, I couldn't help but overhear. I mean, who wouldn't be interested when the first thing Yuki said was-
"I don't love you."
I winced. Zero gave no outward reaction other than closing his eyes. Yuki's bangs were in her eyes.
"I don't deserve you. I didn't deserve him." She breathed, "It feels wrong. It's a betrayal. I know. I know your feelings. All these years you've been with me and I've only considered you a sib-"
His hand landed on her mouth, "Yuki."
Her eyes were drowning. Zero exhaled before pulling her into a gentle embrace, "It's fine, you idiot." He paused when she choked on a sob, "I know I shouldn't have you…but that doesn't mean I'm giving up. I've waited for a long time. I can wait awhile more. I've got all the time in the world."
She sniffed, "But we're only human."
"Does it matter?"
She didn't reply.
I pondered this as we left the limo, Himaya driving away to escort her directionally challenged father home. We entered the empty mansion, a quiet 'we're home' coming from my mouth. It was pointless considering the Ichijo parents were on a business trip down south at the moment. They'd be back in a few days, or earlier if news of previous events reached them.
Akemi didn't wait to talk. She walked up to her room without a second glance. I watched her before turning to Takuma. He set our stuff on the ground, unbuttoning his jacket and setting it aside. He gave me a smile.
"The staff has been given the day off. Himaya has too but she'll most likely be back after dealing with Amai-san. She'll take care of our things."
I nodded mutely, not moving to take my jacket off. A cold chill went up my spine and I ducked my head, frowning. A hand rested on my shoulder, "Shizumi, are you okay?"
"Fine." My voice betrayed me as it came out choked.
"You're crying."
"Yeah, I' am." I sniffed, "I'm going to cry."
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He hand went up to my cheek, using his thumb to bat a teardrop away. "Why?"
"I'm crying because no one else will." I hiccupped, "I'm crying because everyone else is too prideful or self-sacrificial to show their pain. I'm crying because no one wants everyone to see them sad, so they'll put up a façade and they won't show their true feelings. I'm crying because no one else will. I'm crying for everyone. I'm crying for you!"
I ended up burying my head into his chest, sobbing my heart out. I'm not sure how Akemi didn't hear my wails from her room. I just cried. A floodgate was opened an all I did was cling to my best friend as he returned the embrace.
He managed a strained chuckle, amused and tired, "Shizumi, what am I going to do with you?"
I gripped his shirt tighter. "Stay. Don't die."
He smiled fondly, "I promise." He leaned down and kissed my cheek where a tear had been. I felt my face grow hot.
"Er…Takuma…"
"Listen," He whispered, "I have something to say."
"I know."
"…you do?"
"And I love you."
His smile grew, "I love you too."
And we kissed.
.
.
.
.
.
"SHIMOUTO~!"
I stopped, considering turning around. Weighing the pros and cons, I deemed it stupid and continued walking.
"How can you ignore your precious relative like that?" Maria wailed, attaching herself to my back like a koala. I barely recognized her weight as I continued to fill out my form on a clipboard. Everyone was reapplying for the next term. In the next month all the upperclassmen would be graduating aside from Maria and Ika.
Maria sniffed, "Akemi and Takuma did the same thing."
Must. Not. Look. At. Puppy dog. Face.
"Everyone's been avoiding me recently."
I wonder why.
"Ichiru even ran away!"
Yeah, considering what he plans to do…
"Shimouto is the most precious imouto to me!" Maria wailed while I mentally added I wasn't even her sibling. I twitched as she snuggled into me, "She'll never betray me!"
Must.
Remain.
Calm.
Okay, you got this Shizumi. Just take a deep breath, tell her to get off, and coolly walk away. I glanced at her large eyes. Fuck. Resolve shattered.
I sighed, defeated, "You're birthday party, you dolt."
She blinked, "Eh?"
"Everyone's planning a going away party on your birthday." I explained tiredly, "Like a graduation party, ya know? You were the night class vice president for a full year." Only because Takuma was more focused on smothering me in hugs every moment of his life.
Maria's eyes widened to epic proportions, "Really? Is that true?"
I nodded, "Akemi was supposed to distract you though…"
"She had to turn in her application. But, besides that," She leaned in eagerly which was an accomplishment considering I was still giving her a piggyback ride, "Who got the idea of the party?"
"Ichiru."
Her face turned red, "O-oh…" A small, cute smile formed on her face, "How nice of him."
"By the way," I spoke dully, "He's going to kiss you tonight. Just thought I'd warn ya."
"W-WHAT!?"
I cursed when she lost balance, flailing my arms to balance myself out, "Watch it!"
"S-sorry!"
"Oy!" A voice from behind us called. I glanced over my shoulder to see my best friend approaching with a lazy smirk, "Did you already fall for Maria's begging, Shi?"
I cursed. Akemi cackled, placing a hand on my hair and ruffling it fondly, "Hurry up and turn in your application, idiot. The headmaster has his hands full already without worrying about you getting lost on campus. Again."
"Shut up." I murmured, "I didn't think he was going to redesign the whole damn place while it was shut down."
Maria giggled, "Shimouto hasn't changed at all!"
Akemi nodded sagely, crossing her arms, "Actually, you should have seen her when she was little. She'd stutter and fall all over the place. I mean, this one time when we were wearing kimono's-"
I coughed. Akemi grinned at my flushed face. Maria blinked obliviously while Akemi just shrugged, "But, yeah, that was ten years ago. We're fifteen now."
Maria pouted, "I'm going to be the only grown up amongst all you freshman."
"I'm a second year now." I hissed and Akemi laughed.
"Still…" Maria sighed with a frown, "I'm going to miss everyone. They're all going to college or starting off fresh. Did you hear Kain-san proposed to Souen-san?"
I cringed. Akemi snickered, "Straight out of high school, huh? What'd she say?"
"'What took you so long?'."
My friend snorted. I just sighed.
"At least Shiki-kun and Tooya-chan got a job offering." Maria chirped, "Their going to be professional models!"
"And Seiren's brother is coming." Akemi moaned. She'd already met him. Apparently he was no different than his older sister. "Watch out Shi, you're going to get a henchman if you're not careful."
I glared at her, "Seiren's nice."
"To you. She hates my guts. She almost decapitated me one time."
I rolled my eyes, "You're exaggerating."
"Seiren-san wants to become a teacher!" Maria piped up, "Did you know that?"
Akemi paled, "Oh god, why? Why those poor children? Just what is she going to teach?"
"Self-defense."
"Of course."
"Aido-kun is kind of doing the same thing." My relatives face twisted into confusion, "But he said he wanted to be a professor but he's the family heir. He didn't look too happy about it, though. I think his sisters cheered him up…"
"Yeah," Akemi nodded as we turned back down the hall, "He was down in the dumps for a while. But, you know that irksome barnacle toad-"
"Toma." I corrected.
"-offered a spot as running his own university. Hanabusa agreed, of course, but he wants everyone to attend the school. Even himself."
"Wow." Maria was awed.
"He's an idiot." Akemi stated bluntly.
"I think it's fine." I inputted, a mischievous smirk growing on my face, "But I'm sure Toma only agreed was because you were down too over Hanabusa's mood."
Akemi's face turned red and she squawked, "EW! Shi! He's-He's-NO!"
"Your face says it all." I sung.
"He's a toad midget!" She shrieked.
"I'M A WHAT!?"
Akemi snarled, turning forward where Toma and Ika were frozen in front of us. Ika held her arms up in a surrender gesture as the two glared at one another, "Now, now."
"You are such a gorilla women!"
"Fat faced child!"
"Pig nosed sloth!"
"MIDGET!"
"BRAT!"
"IDIOT!" They roared.
I kicked Akemi's head, "Heel, girl."
She pouted, rubbing her head and glaring scathingly at Toma's smug look, "But Shi, he was-"
"You're both retards." I finalized, walking past them with Ika trotting along, "Now hurry up or you won't get cake."
They grumbled but none the less followed.
We passed by the headmaster's office, passing off our forms and waving goodbye to the eccentric man. Along the way, Raito joined us. He was a cute little thing, with the same looks as his older sister, the same short hair and the same eyes. He was at least a little shy.
He still followed me like a puppy, something Akemi would not stop teasing about.
"Surprise~!" A bunch of voices shouted once we entered the night class commons. Everyone stood or jumped up in their own fashions. Some were noticeably enthusiastic while some just stood there (Senri) with streamers stuck in their hair. Maria acted surprised, but it was painfully obvious she was pretending (she couldn't fake shock through the kiss though).
We still had a great time.
"Everyone!" Yuki cried through the festivities, a gleeful smile on her face, "There are fireworks outside!"
Everyone slowly headed outside. Rima and Senri, Kain and Ruka (who refused to answer any questions about the ring on her finger), Hanbusa, Kaito, Takuma, the twins, Seiren and Raito, and Yuki. Us underclassman followed and we all sat on the lawn, watching fireworks light up the sky.
"Here's to a good year." Someone called.
Takuma's hand found mine. I gripped it firmly.
Colors burst into the sky.
It's over.
No.
The worse is over.
The best has only just begun.
I teared up at the end. Not because of the cheesy line, but because it finally hit me that over a year of working I have finally finished my second story. It's so beautiful too. Much better then my last one. My writing is slowly improving from here. But it's over guys. I just want to thank you all for the reviews, the favorites, the follows, and just plain reading up till this point and dealing with my habits. You guys rock and I know there have been that specific group of reviewers who have commented on every chapter (you know who you are) and I don't care if it's tedious, I freaking love you guys. You're constant stream of reviews kept me motivated. Thank you.
Really. I just mentally hugged you. I hope you enjoyed it.
Thank you again and stay tuned for the Epilogue. When I post, I will officially mark this as completed.
Review.
